Politics

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NEWS 3/19/26 3:13pm

Primary elections bring changes to NC statehouse

By Trista Panagakos

The North Carolina primary elections have altered what the statehouse may look like in November. North Carolina, Wilmington, Aaron King said incumbents usually have an advantage when running for office because of name recognition, a record of accomplishments and organization. King said challengers are able to campaign as an outsider against an incumbent and explain to voters how the incumbent is failing them. Eight incumbent state lawmakers lost their primaries March 3, three Democrats and five Republicans.

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NEWS 2/25/26 1:07pm

Elon Votes sponsors State of the Union watch party

By Kate Gray

Around 15 students gathered in Moseley Center on Feb. 24 for the State of the Union watch party, hosted by Elon Votes. The broadcast was President Trump’s first State of the Union of his second term and lasted a record 108 minutes, according to AP News. The previous record for the longest presidential address to Congress was 100 minutes and was set by Trump last year.

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NEWS 2/23/26 10:36pm

Elon Town Council approves Elon University text amendment, ordinances, resolutions

By Alannah Klingsporn

Elon Town Council discussed a text amendment, approved its audit contract, and passed an ordinance for its purchase of property at 112 Orange Dr. The agenda for the meeting stated the property was at 112 Orange St., but this is incorrect. Elon Mayor Emily Sharpe wasn’t present for the meeting. Mayor pro tempore Monti Allison presided over the meeting Feb. 23. 

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NEWS 2/23/26 1:55pm

Mebane City Council to expand offices, parking for staff

By Alannah Klingsporn

The Mebane City Council purchased a dentist's office and parking lot for $325,000 in a unanimous vote. The property is located across from the City Hall. North Carolina requires local governments to keep a minimum reserve — called a fund balance — equal to 8% of their annual general expenses.

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NEWS 2/22/26 12:52pm

North Carolina remains in running for first 2028 presidential primary

By Kate Gray

North Carolina is one of 12 states vying for the first-in-the-nation Democratic primary in 2028, according to the Democratic National Committee. The DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee must select four to five states for the early nominating window of the 2028 presidential election, with at least one state from each of the DNC’s four regions: East, Midwest, South and West.

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NEWS 2/21/26 8:33pm

U.S. House passes SAVE America Act, Senate to consider it soon

By Trista Panagakos

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act was passed by the United States House of Representatives by a vote of 218-213 on Feb. 11, with one Democrat breaking party lines to vote to pass the bill. The bill will now be considered by the Senate, where it needs 60 votes to pass before going to President Donald Trump’s desk for his signature. 

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NEWS 2/21/26 11:45am

Students forced to travel off campus for midterm primary elections

By Abby Gravely

Early voting for the 2026 midterm election primaries began Feb. 12, and Elon University is one of the many North Carolina colleges and universities not hosting an early voting site.

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NEWS 2/20/26 7:30pm

New SNAP work requirements implemented in North Carolina

By Trista Panagakos

SNAP is a program that provides food assistance to lower-income individuals and families to help offset the cost of groceries. The program is funded by the federal government and state governments offset administrative costs. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, over one million North Carolinians receive SNAP benefits. 

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NEWS 2/20/26 11:30am

State Senate primary threatens to topple North Carolina’s political hierarchy

By Miles Hayford

Over his 26 years in the North Carolina State Senate, Sen. Phil Berger has carved out significant influence, and since becoming the Senate leader in 2011, he has been one of the most powerful political players in the state. But Berger’s grip on the state’s Republican Party is now at risk of tumbling away due to a popular, cowboy hat-wearing sheriff from Rockingham County. Sam Page, who has been the sheriff of Rockingham County since 1998, is running against Berger for State Senate District 26, which includes Rockingham County and parts of Guilford County.

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NEWS 2/17/26 11:20am

Brandon Enoch’s Trail for Green Level widens

By Alex Nettles

A long road led Brandon Enoch to become the town administrator of Green Level, a role assumed at the beginning of this year. He first worked in Green Level as the parks and recreation director. Now, he wants to bring the Green Level Woodland Trail, adventure tourism and a higher tax base to the town. 

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NEWS 2/12/26 9:10am

Students talk face-to-face with Elon University officials during SGA fireside chat

By Alice Morrissey

Wednesday night, Irazu Coffee opened its doors to students for the semesterly fireside chat. The event, organized by Elon’s Student Government Association, allows students to ask questions about campus happenings and Elon affairs face-to-face with President Connie Book and Vice President for Student Life Jon Dooley.

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NEWS 2/11/26 5:38pm

North Carolina Supreme Court prepares for 2026 Election

By Alannah Klingsporn

The North Carolina Supreme Court is preparing to have another election in 2026. Democratic incumbent Anita Earls and Representative Sarah Stevens will be facing off in Nov. for the court seat. This election comes after Republican candidate Jefferson Griffin didn’t concede the 2024 Supreme Court race to Democratic incumbent Allison Riggs until May 2025, after a six-month legal battle.

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NEWS 2/11/26 9:54am

Elon Town Council reviews sustainability efforts, ordinance amendments

By Elissa Leka

The Elon Town Council received an annual update from the Sustainability Committee, held public hearings for a Land Management Ordinance text amendment and Elon University text amendment and addressed proposed ordinances and resolutions in chapters 13 and 17. There were no participants in the public comments portion of the agenda. 

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NEWS 2/7/26 10:06am

City council leads new projects across Graham

By Alice Morrissey

Now two months into her city council term, Graham’s new mayor Chelsea Dickey has begun leading several projects and initiatives across the city. Dickey has focused on setting goals for the remainder of her term with support from the council. In a Facebook post on Jan. 20, she announced the completion of a workshop with fellow council members where they outlined priorities for the upcoming budget cycle. During the workshop the council created their three-year goals including continuing to support parks and recreation initiatives, promoting economic growth in Graham, maintaining infrastructure, improving safety, and strengthening community engagement.

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NEWS 2/3/26 6:46pm

NC College Democrats sue State Board of Elections over early voting access

By Kate Gray

The College Democrats of North Carolina and four college students sued the North Carolina State Board of Elections and several state and local election officials over the denial of on-campus early voting sites for the 2026 primary election. At their meeting Jan. 13, the NCSBE heard from 12 county boards of elections that had not come to unanimous decisions on their early voting plans.

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NEWS 1/28/26 2:22pm

Elon Town Council discusses possible acquisition of Labcorp property

By Trista Panagakos

The Elon Town Council discussed possible funding paths for a new municipal building and police station. The Town agreed to purchase a Labcorp property at 112 Orange Drive in the fall. The purchase has not gone through and members debated costs Jan. 27. There were no participants in the public comments portion of the meeting. 

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NEWS 1/14/26 11:08am

Elon Town Council accepts funds from North Carolina League of Municipalities, passes golf cart resolutions

By Alannah Klingsporn

The Elon Town Council adopted new funding, the sale of the Elon Fire Department's extra fire truck and discussed future new business Jan. 13. Elon Town Council member Randy Orwig was not in attendance for this meeting. 

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NEWS 1/5/26 9:34am

Elon University’s SGA to implement suggestion boxes on campus, look to make an impact in the spring

By Trista Panagakos

Elon University’s Student Government Association had an eventful fall semester following the implementation of a new funding model, freshman elections and an atypical town hall. “Change is change,” Vice President of Communications for SGA Kennedy Steiner said. “People don't always love change, but I think for the future, I think this could be really good, people asking, maybe why something didn't get funded, and just making sure everything was as equitable as possible for organizations.” 

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NEWS 1/1/26 3:36pm

NC Rep. Stephen Ross to not seek re-election after 6 terms

By Anjolina Fantaroni

North Carolina state Rep. Stephen Ross announced he will not seek re-election, ending his sixth term after more than three decades in public service. Ross has spent more than three decades in public service, previously serving as a member of  Burlington City Council, Mayor of Burlington and chairman of the Piedmont Triad Council of Governments. He said he reached a point where he felt it was time to step aside. Ross said he wants to spend more time with his family. Ryan Moffitt, an Elon Law alum and Burlington attorney, has announced his candidacy for the seat.

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NEWS 12/17/25 3:18pm

North Carolinians rate public schools poorly in new Elon Poll

By Nia Bedard

As K-12 students across North Carolina prepare for their winter break, the Elon University Poll released poll data on Dec. 17 finding that most North Carolinians gave mediocre or poor grades to public schools across the state. “The states have always had deep authority on education, but there has been more federal involvement in various years,” Director of the Elon University Poll Jason Husser said. “So we thought, well, this is the time for us to really look in depth about what do people think about North Carolina schools.”

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